It’s this time of year that our staff and board of directors are busy working on the annual APA International Personalization Expo.
They are signing up new suppliers for the expansive trade show, building an education schedule to keep retailers at the top of their game, and creating opportunities to network with your peers. Our teams give countless hours to making sure the Expo is a valuable experience and worth the time and money to attend.
So here is my challenge to all members: attend the 2027 Expo with me!
If you’ve attended before, you know the value. I’d ask you to bring a team member or a colleague who hasn’t experienced it yet.
If you’ve never been, this invitation is especially for you. You’re missing out on:
- The latest products and technology. Laser engraving, sublimation, UV printing, heat transfer, sandcarving, and more, all in one place so that you can see and compare them in person.
- Education that applies to your business. Sessions on the latest business, technical, and marketing best practices and trends, led by people who do this work every day.
- Connections that last. The expo is where you build relationships with peers and suppliers who understand your business and want to see it grow.
- A Las Vegas getaway in February. Many of you can leave the cold temps behind for a few days.
As an APA member, you and your employees receive free registration to the trade show floor and all general education sessions. It’s one of the most valuable benefits of your membership.
Register now at personalizationpros.org/tradeshow/registration. It takes less than five minutes.
Take the challenge; let’s make this a record year!
Before I sign off, I want to thank Louise Ristau, CAE, for her years of service as APA’s executive director. As announced this fall, Louise has stepped down, and Dave Pomeroy has been appointed as the association’s new executive director.
Louise’s impact on APA reaches far beyond what most members ever saw. When COVID pushed our industry into uncharted waters, Louise guided us through it. Many don’t know that, because of her foresight, we were one of only a few industries with insurance coverage for our Expo, and that coverage ultimately saved the association.
She was always professional and thoughtful, you knew things would be handled in a first-class way, on time, every time. As President, I can tell you firsthand that Louise made the jobs of president and the board of directors much easier because she was always one step ahead. She is a friend, a colleague, and someone we all look up to with the utmost respect.
Please join me and the entire board in thanking Louise for her longtime leadership of APA.
I hope to see you February 23-26, 2027, in Las Vegas! Come ready to learn, connect, and celebrate personalization together.
Sincerely,
Justin R. Varn
APA President